BJP vs TMC: Clash Erupts in JPC Meeting on Waqf Bill, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Injured
A dramatic altercation occurred during the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill. The clash involved Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) members. According to reports, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee suffered injuries during the scuffle.
The JPC meetings on the Waqf Amendment Bill have drawn nationwide attention. However, these sessions have witnessed heated arguments and disruptions instead of constructive discussions. In a particularly intense exchange between two MPs, the situation nearly escalated into a physical confrontation. It is reported that Banerjee allegedly broke a glass bottle during the meeting, leading to his injury.
What is Waqf?
Waqf refers to any movable or immovable property donated by a follower of Islam for religious purposes. Such properties are considered as belonging to Allah, with no human ownership. However, institutions have been established to manage these properties.
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How is Waqf Carried Out?
Waqf can be initiated in various ways. For instance, if a person owns multiple houses and wishes to donate one for Waqf, they can specify this in their will. After the person’s demise, the donated property cannot be used by the family but will be utilized for social welfare by the Waqf institution. Similarly, shares, houses, books, or cash can be dedicated to Waqf.
Any Muslim individual over the age of 18 can donate their property to Waqf, and no one else, including their family, can claim rights over the Waqf property.
Who Manages Waqf Properties?
Waqf properties are managed by Waqf Boards, which operate at the local and state levels. States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have separate Shia and Sunni Waqf Boards. These boards oversee the maintenance and income of Waqf properties. The Central Waqf Council provides guidance to state boards. Across India, Waqf land includes cemeteries and other religious properties, and their upkeep is handled by the Waqf.
What is the Government’s Proposed Waqf Amendment Bill?
In recent weeks, there was speculation that the government might introduce a bill to amend the Waqf Board in Parliament. On August 8, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, presented the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Muslim Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. This amendment bill proposes over 40 changes, including the elimination of several provisions in the current Waqf Act.
The bill also aims to bring significant changes to the existing act, such as ensuring the representation of Muslim women in central and state Waqf boards and allowing individuals of any religion to be part of these committees. The last amendment to the act was made in 2013.
Key Changes Proposed in the Bill
The bill seeks to remove Section 40 of the Waqf Act, 1995, which previously empowered boards to determine if a property could be classified as Waqf property. It also proposes the creation of a central portal and database for registering Waqf properties, which would require all properties to be registered on the portal within six months of the new act’s implementation.
New sections 3A, 3B, and 3C are proposed, focusing on conditions for Waqf, registration details on the portal, and measures to prevent wrongful declarations of Waqf properties. The bill emphasizes transparency by ensuring that all concerned parties are adequately informed before registering any property as Waqf.
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